Explosively-operated tool



Jan. 10, 196 7 c. R. HEDBERG ETAL 3,296,792

EXPLOS IVELY OPERATED TOOL Filed Jan. 30, 1964 2 Sheets$heet 1 3,296,792 1 EXPLOSHVELY-UPERATED TODL Carl Raymond Hedberg, Harrisburg, and Frederick Wil liam 1 Wahl, ,Mizldletown, Pa., assignors to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. Filed 1211.30, 1964, Ser. No. 341,283

Claims. (Cl. 60-261) This invention relates to an explosively-operated industrial tool in which there is provided a gas release and shell ejection means.

It} has been found that whenan explosively-operated too'lof thetype disclosed in US. Patentapplication, Serial No. 215,562,? filed August 8, 1962, or U.S. Patent No. 2,968,043,1has been fired, the cap member closing the end of the firing chamber in which the shell has been detonated is ,difficult to remove due to the fact that the firing chamber is a closed chamber which causes a tremendous pressure to occur therein after the shell has exploded.

In\ addition, particles from the explosion mixture in the shelliadhere to and subsequently build up on the threaded portion of the barrel and cap member. After the cap member. had been, removed, it was also found that the exploded shell was always difficult to remove from the firing chamber; mainly because as a result of the explosion, the body of the shell had expanded against the surface of the firing chamber causing the shell to adhere thereto.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an explosively-operated tool having a gas release means therein.

in conjunction with the drawings in which there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given for purposes of illustration and principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

In the drawings:

FIGUREil is a perspective view of a tool incorporating the present invention;

FIGUREIZ is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the power unit for the tool of FIGURE 1 showing the gas release and ejection means in an inoperative position;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 after the power unit has been operated showing the gas release means in an operative position; and

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the .ejection means in operation.

Turning now to the drawings, there is shown a tool T including a C-shaped frame Ftand a power unit P.

Oneyleg of frame F includes an engaging section 1 1 having ,a stepped portion 2 against which a C-shaped connector body C engages. Another stepped portion 3 is d'isposed downwardly from stepped portion 2 and is engaged by a smaller size C-shaped connector body (not shown). Frame F has a fiat surface 4 on which the legs of thelarge connector body rests. In order that the small connector body engages stepped, portion 3, a C-shaped platform 5 is slipped onto flat surface 4 on which the legs of the small connector body rest.

Umted States Patent 0 Spaced downwardly from stepped portion 3 is a pointed projection 6 defining a swaging means against which the front surface of wedge W forcefully engages in order to strike or swage upwardly a portion of the front surface of the Wedge so as to provide a locking surface that maintains the wedge within the connector body. A more detailed explanation of the operation of providing a looking surface in the wedge will be found in US. Patent application, Serial No. 341,223, filed January 30, 1964.

The other leg of frame F comprises an internally threaded section 7 which accommodates a coupling member 8 of power unit P. Coupling member 8 has external threads 9 mating those of section 7 and a bore 10 which includes an outer section 10a and an inner enlarged section 10!). Adjacent the opening of section 1011 is a flange 11 having a slot 11a therein.

A sleeve 12 fits over the end of coupling member 8 having flange 11 and contains an inner shoulder 13 which engages flange 11. A pin 14 is secured in sleeve 12 and extends within slot 11a to prevent sleeve 12 turning with respect to coupling member 8 but allowing sleeve 12 to move longitudinally thereto. Sleeve 12 also includes an internally threaded section 15 which mates with externally threaded section 16 of breech member 17. A set screw 18 is threadably disposed in the threaded section of sleeve 12 in order to engage a slot 16a in section 16 to lock the sleeve and section together. The exterior surface of sleeve 12 is preferably knurled.

Breech member 17 also includes another externally threaded section 19 spaced from section 16, diametrical grooves 20, a recessed portion 21 and a conically-shaped cartridge chamber 22. A cartridge 23, such as, disclosed in US. Patent application, Serial No. 239,618, filed November 23, 1962, is placed within chamber 22.

A cartridge ejection means 24 is movably mounted on breech member 17 over grooves 20. Cartridge ejection means 24 includes a sleeve 25 having a flange 26 which fits within recessed portion 21 so that flange 23a of cartridge 23 overlies flange 26 of sleeve 25. Securing means 27 are on sleeve 25 which are disposed within grooves 20 in order to maintain sleeve 25 secured on breech member 17 As can be discerned, securing means 27 comprise depressed portions in sleeve 25 which extend into respective grooves 20 and which are located toward the end of sleeve 25 opposite flange 26 in order to allow sleeve 25 to move longitudinally relative to breech member 17 and not rotatively theretov Of course, securing means other than the depressed portions may be utilized, such as, pins, bolts, etc. The exterior surface of sleeve 25 is preferably knurled to aid in grasping same. It is desirable that flange 26 engages a substantial portion of flange 23a in order to effectively eject same from the cartridge chamber.

A breech-nut assembly 28 is removably mounted on breech member 17 and includes a sleeve 29 having internal threads the entire length thereof which mate with the threads on section 19 to hold sleeve 29 on breech member 17. A stationary plug 30 is threadably disposed within sleeve 29 and is secured therein by a set screw 31 threadably mounted in sleeve 29 which engages a slot 32 in the periphery of plug 30. Slots 16a and 32 provide adjustments for breech member 17 relative to sleeve 12 and plug 30 relative to sleeve 29, respectively.

Plug 30 includes a recessed portion 33 into which flange 23a of the cartridge fits and diametrical holes 34 into which a tool (not shown) fits to screw the plug into and remove it from sleeve 29. Another recessed portion 35 is disposed in plug 30 and coaxial therewith between holes 34. A hole 36 of smaller diameter than recessed portion 35 extends between recessed portions 33 and 35 and is in communication therewith as well as being coaxial with plug 30.

A movable plug 37 is threadably disposed within sleeve 29 by a threaded section 38. Spaced from threaded section 38 is an engaging section 39 which extends beyond the outer surface of sleeve 29 in order to abut against the end thereof to limit the inner movement of plug 37 thereinto as well as to provide a gripping surface to move plug 37 relative to sleeve 29. The periphery of section 39 is preferably undulated to aid in the gripping thereof. Between sections 38 and 39, there is a channel 40. A pin 41 is secured to sleeve 29 and lies within channel 4%). Plug 37 is movably inwardly until it abuts against plug 30 and the end of sleeve 29 as shown in FIGURE 2 and movable outwardly until threaded section 38 engages pin 41, as shown in FIGURE 3, whereupon sleeve 29 is rotated until it is free from threaded section 19. Breechnut assembly is then free to be removed from breech 17 to remove a spent cartridge from chamber 22 and place a new one therein.

An opening 42 extends almost the length of plug 37. Opening 42 is coaxial with plug 37 and has the same diameter as recessed portion 35 of plug 30. Another opening 43 is in communication with opening 42 and extends the rest of the way through plug 37. Opening 43 is of less diameter than opening 42 and is coaxial therewith.

A pin 44 has portions 45 and 46 snugly fitting into opening 43 and opening 42 and recessed portion 35, respectively. A pointed section 47 extends outwardly from portion 46 of pin 44 and through hole 36 so that it penetrates through the flanged end of cartridge 23 when plug 37 is in the position shown in FIGURE 2 in order to provide a hole therein through which the explosion gases can escape after the cartridge has been detonated. Pin 44 may be secured in plug 37 by means of a screw (not shown) threadably engaging a threaded hole in the end of portion 45 and countersunk in the end thereof.

A hole 48 extends through plug 37 parallel to openings 42 and 43 in order to allow the explosion gases to escape to the atmosphere when plug 37 has been moved to its outer position as shown in FIGURE 3.

A ram 49 is movably mounted in the power unit and includes a section 50 disposed in bore 10 of coupling member 8 and another section 51 is disposed in chamber 22 of breech 17. Section 50 has a diameter slightly less than section 10a of bore 10. A shoulder 52 separates sections 50 and 51 and has a diameter slightly less than section 10b of bore 10 in which it moves.

A jamming means 53 is disposed at the intersection of sections 10a and 10b in order to lock ram 49 in an inoperative position if the tool is fired accidentally. A more detailed explanation of the operation of the jamming means can be found in US. Patent No. 3,212,535.

Section 51 of ram 49 moves interiority of cartridge 23 and a projection 54 extends outwardly from the inner end thereof which engages a detonating means 55 such as, a primer in plug 57 located in cartridge 23 in order to detonate explosive powder 56 therein when the end of plug 37 is hit with a tool, such as a hammer. A complete and detailed explanation of plug 57 can be found in US. Patent application, Serial No. 206,767, filed July 2, 1962. This causes breech-nut assembly 28, breech 17, cartridge 23 and sleeve 12 to move relative to coupling member 8 and ram 49 until the end surface of breech 17 engages the adjacent end surface of coupling member 8.

The diameter of shoulder 52 is larger than section 51 so that it engages the end of breech member 17 adjacent thereto in order to limit the inner movement of ram 49 within power unit P. After cartridge 23 has been placed in chamber 22 and after it has been fired, section 51 engages the interior surface of the cartridge to form a closed chamber so long as plug 37 remains in its closed position as shown in FIGURE 2. The exterior surface of sleeve 29 is preferably knurled at least to set screw 31.

Operation Conductor members CM are placed within a connector body C and a wedge W is also placed therein. A hammer or similar tool is used to force the wedge into the connector body a small distance in order that the connector body, wedge and conductor members remain temporarily together.

Plug 37 is moved outwardly until it engages pin 41 whereupon further rotation of plug 37 causes sleeve 29 to move and this is continued until sleeve 29 is free of threaded section 19. Breech-nut assembly 28 can then be removed from breech member 17.

A cartridge 23 is then placed within chamber 22, breech-nut assembly 28 is replaced on breech member 17, and plug 37 is screwed into abutting relationship with the end of sleeve 29 and plug 30 whereupon pointed section 47 of pin 44 penetrates through the flanged end of the cartridge to provide a hole for the escape of explosion gases therefrom.

Ram 49 is pushed into position within the power unit if it is sticking out of coupling member 8. Power unit P is moved outwardly from section 7 so that the connector body and wedge can be placed within frame .F. The connector body is brought into engagement with the appropriate stepped portion 2 or 3 with the legs thereof on surface 4 or platform 5 depending on the size of the connector body. The power unit is then moved inwardly until the end of coupling member 8 engages the wedge.

The end of plug 37 is struck with a hammer or suitable means whereupon breech-nut assembly 28, breech 17, cartridge 23 and sleeve 12 move inwardly toward coupling member 8 and ram 49. Projection 54 engages detonating means 55 which causes power 56 to explode thereby driving ram 49 outwardly with suflicient force to drive wedge W into connector body C to secure them and conductor members CM together to provide an excellent mechanical and electrical connection therebetween. In addition, the end of the wedge, opposite the one engaged by the ram, engages pointed projection 6 thereby swaging upwardly a portion of this end of the wedge in order to provide a locking surface that maintains the wedge within the connector body.

The power unit is backed off and the connection is removed from the tool. Plug 37 is moved outwardly against pin 41 as shown in FIGURE 3 causing the explosion gases within expended cartridge 23 to escape through the hole in the flanged end thereof that was made by pointed section 47, through hole 36, recessed portion 35 and hole 48 into the atmosphere. Further movement of plug 37 causes sleeve 29 to be removed from breech member 17.

After the breech-nut assembly has been removed, sleeve 25 is grasped and moved rearwardly which causes flange 26 to forcefully engage flange 23a of the cartridge thereby ejecting the spent cartridge as shown in FIGURE 4.

As can be discerned, there has been disclosed a novel gas release means and cartridge ejection means for use in an industrial tool; however, such means can be used in conjunction with any device using an explosivelyoperated power unit.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and other desirable objects have been achieved; however, it should be emphasized that the particular embodiment of the invention, which is shown and described herein, is intended as merely illustrative and not as restrictive of the invention.

We claim:

1. An explosively-operated device comprising a frame member having a work area, a power unit on said frame including a chamber therein, a ram member movably disposed in said chamber, cartridge means adapted to be placed in said chamber and provided with a hollow portion in which part of said ram member fits to define a closed chamber, means enclosing said chamber to provide admittance and removal of said cartridge, and gas release means on said means enclosing said chamber and movable relative thereto to allow release of the explosion gasesfrom the closed chamber after the cartridge has been fired 2.11 An explosively-operated device according to claim 1 wherein said gas release means includes a plug movable relative to said enclosing means, said plug having a passagetherethrough, means on said plug to establish communication with said closed chamber and said passage when said plug is in an open position.

31 Gas ,release means for an explosively-operated device comprising frame means having a power unit thereon, said power unit, including a cartridge-receiving chamber for receiving an explosive cartridge therein, ram means "movably disposed in said power unit and having a section ful, movement thereagainst.

5. Gas; release means according to claim 3 wherein said,.plug "means includes a passage extending therethrough, and meansto penetrate said cartridge to establish lcommunication with said enclosed chamber and said passage.

6. Gas release means according to claim 3 wherein said plug. means includes a first plug member secured in said enclosing means for seating in a recess thereof a fiangeof said cartridge and provided with a hole therethrough, a second plug member movably mounted in said enclosing means having penetrating means to extend through said hole upon movement of said second plug memberpto. a closed position to penetrate through the flanged end of said cartridge into said enclosed chamber and provided with a passage therethrough to provide communication between said ,enclosed chamber and the atmosphere upon movement of said second plug member toan open position.

7. Gasrelease means for an explosively-operated device comprising a power unit adapted to receive an explosive cartridge in a chamber thereof, means for actuating said explosive cartridge and along with said explosive cartridge defining an enclosed chamber, and plug means on said powertunit to: maintain said enclosed chamber closed and including means movable relative thereto to allow release of the explosive gases generated after the explosive cartridge has been actuated.

8. In a tool to drive one member into another member, a frame having an area in which one of said members is to be disposed, a power unit on said frame engaging the other of said members, said power unit having a cartridge-receiving chamber for receiving an explosive cartridge, a ram member movably disposed in said power unit and having one section for engaging the other of said members and another section disposed in said cartridge-receiving chamber, said other section being disposed within a hollow portion of said explosive cartridge and along therewith defining an enclosed chamber, means on said power unit adjacent the end of said explosive cartridge including a stationary plug memberand a ITIOV:

able plug member, said plug members being disposed adjacent each other to maintain said enclosed chamber closed and said movable plug member being movable away from said stationary plug member to release the explosion gases from the enclosed chamber after the explosive cartridge has been fired, and means to detonate said explosive cartridge to drive said one section outwardly from said power unit and drive said members into frictional engagement with each other.

9. In a tool according to claim 8 wherein said movable plug member includes pin means for penetrating the end of said explosive cartridge and a passage to allow the explosion gases to pass therethrough.

10. A gas release for an explosively-operated device comprising a breech member having a cartridge-receiving chamber for receiving a cartridge therein, a sleeve removably mountable on said breech member, a stationary plug in said sleeve for engaging an end of said cartridge, said stationary plug having an aperture therein, a movable plug in said sleeve movable toward and away from said stationary plug, and means in said movable plug to move into said aperture, to puncture the end of said cartridge and to permit release of explosion gases from said cartridge upon movement of said movable plug away from said stationary plug.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,155,039 11/1964 Broske 102-38 3,173,369 3/1965 Broske 102-38 FOREIGN PATENTS 110,961 7/1961 Pakistan.

MARK NEWMAN, Primary Examiner.

WENDELL E. BURNS, Examiner. 

7. GAS RELEASE MEANS FOR AN EXPLOSIVE-OPERATED DEVICE COMPRISING A POWER UNIT ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AN EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGE IN A CHAMBER THEREOF, MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGE AND ALONG WITH SAID EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGE DEFINING AN ENCLOSED CHAMBER, AND PLUG MEANS ON SAID POWER UNIT TO MAINTAIN SAID ENCLOSED CHAMBER CLOSED AND INCLUDING MEANS MOVABLE RELATIVE THERETO TO ALLOW RELEASE OF THE EXPLOSIVE GASES GENERATED AFTER THE EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGE HAS BEEN ACTUATED. 